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As everyone who lives on or near the coast knows, constant contact with the salt content in sea air has a detrimental effect on most things metal.  This is especially noticeable in the cast iron street furniture used in coastal communities, which experiences unremitting exposure to the atmosphere and very quickly begins to corrode and lose its pristine appearance.  Without constant care and attention, the ensuing rusty posts, railings and seats can give our environment an uncared-for look, and as most of our coastal communities rely on the tourist industry in varying degrees, keeping our coastal gems looking good is an uphill task for local councils.

When renewal becomes necessary, or when considering the furniture for new developments, architects are increasingly turning to Bollards International, based in Roydon, just outside Kings Lynn in Norfolk, to solve the problem. The company manufactures an extensive range of bollards and other street furniture, which although having the appearance of cast iron, is manufactured from polyurethane especially formulated by its sister company, IFS Chemicals.  These bollards, which will neither rust nor chip, are proving to be a boon to coastal authorities from the east coast to the west.

To date, two sites in Norfolk have benefited from Bollards International’s expertise.  Firstly, the company has played a part in Cromer’s Seafront Enhancement Programme, one of the main objectives of which was to ‘complement and protect the Victorian and Edwardian character of the town and seafront’. The programme included improvements to the town’s promenade, strengthening the pier’s substructure and improving visitor facilities and disabled access.  An important part of this regeneration was the replacement of the corroded iron posts and railings at the entrance to the pier with polyurethane posts and rails supplied by Bollards International.

Hunstanton has also felt the benefit of Bollards International’s modern manufacturing, old cast iron posts and chains have been replaced with a highly durable polyurethane post and rail system in the same style as more substantial posts and rails in the near vicinity.  The colours are in keeping with the local authority’s chosen livery – the green and gold seen all over Hunstanton.

Across the other side of the country, Bollards International has supplied its products for two further developments.  Firstly, the company’s polyurethane post and rails have been used for the protection of the 250 berths at a prestigious new marina and executive housing development at Deganwy Quay on the River Conway estuary.  The stylish bollards put the finishing touches to a very sophisticated development frequented by many famous names in the sporting world.

Secondly, in the Welsh seaside resort of Pwllheli, the problems faced by Gwynedd County Council were similar to that of Cromer and Hunstanton – to renovate without altering the historic look and ambience so well-loved by the town’s visitors. Bollards International took a sample of the old cast iron furnishings and replicated it exactly.  The new ‘old’ bollards were in place for the beginning of the 2006 tourist season, and apart from the absence of rust, no-one could tell the difference!

Dr Barrie Colvin, Managing Director of Bollards International explains the company’s success, saying:“Bollards International is able to take original cast iron furniture and replicate it in most styles and finishes using 21^st Century materials in the manufacture.  The products will not rust or be in any way affected by a hostile salty atmosphere, making them ideal for use in coastal projects.  Because they are virtually maintenance-free, they last longer, retain their good looks, and are very cost-effective – all important features to be taken into consideration when planning a project.”

As an added bonus, the technical expertise within IFS Chemicals has enabled the company to perfect a process whereby bollards are manufactured using regenerated vehicle tyres, prohibited from landfill sites from January 2006 by the EC Landfill Directive.  The UK produces over half a million tonnes of scrap tyres each year, and the Government is expecting complete recovery of value from used tyres as a result of this directive.  Bollards International and IFS are playing a big part in helping to fulfil environmentalists’ aims.